Masorti Australasia

04/09/2026

Before October 7, Fauda creators Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff had already begun writing Season 5. Incredibly, Raz had even suggested a storyline in which Hamas terrorists take over an Israeli community and hold residents hostage.

Issacharoff rejected it.
Too unrealistic.

Then October 7 happened and reality became far more horrific than anything they had imagined.

Raz and Issacharoff went back and rewrote the season.

Season 5 takes place roughly two years after October 7, with Doron and the team carrying the trauma of that day with them. Two episodes actually return to October 7 itself, showing what Doron, Eli and Steve experienced through the characters’ eyes. Raz has described this as a darker, deeply personal season dealing not only with terrorism and revenge, but with PTSD, loss and what happens to warriors after the battle is supposedly over.

Perhaps the most haunting part is what Raz has said about their original idea: October 7 was “far bigger and more horrifying than our darkest script.”

04/09/2026

“As Emanuel celebrates his first decade in Sydney, Rabbi Rafi Kaiserblueth finds himself in a position few rabbis achieve. He is no longer simply serving a community; he has become part of its story. After a lifetime spent crossing oceans and continents, the rabbi who once seemed destined to keep moving has found something far rarer. He has found a home.”

This evening, and always, we celebrate the gift that Rabbi Kaiserblueth has been to Emanuel Synagogue. Mazal tov, Rabbi, and thank you for all that you do and all that you bring. Here’s to many, many more beautiful years together.

Learn how Rabbi Rafi Kaiserblueth transformed his life in Sydney, celebrating a decade at Emanuel Synagogue.

02/09/2026

Time and again these attacks occur, with no definitive action against the perpetrators.

In Israel.

For the second time in less than ten days, a Reform synagogue in Israel has been vandalized. We condemn these attacks unequivocally.

Congregation Darchei Noam in Ramat Hasharon and Jerusalem’s Kehilat Kol HaNeshama are vibrant Reform congregations. The impact of these attacks is felt by all those who value the fundamental right of Jews to practice Judaism in the way that speaks to them. We call on the authorities to investigate them fully and hold those responsible accountable.

To our Reform colleagues, families, children, and all those who feel a connection to our Movement and to these congregations, and all those who feel threatened by these senseless acts of hatred: you are not alone. We, your extended family in North America, stand with you.

02/09/2026

10 years of Rabbi Rafi at Emanuel 🎉

This September marks a decade since Rabbi Rafi Kaiserblueth joined Emanuel Synagogue.

Join us on Friday 4 September for a festive garden party celebrating Rafi’s leadership, teaching and contribution to Jewish life.

📅 Friday 4 September
🕔 4.45pm arrival | 5.00pm start
📍 Emanuel Synagogue, Woollahra

Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/celebrating-rabbi-rafi-kaiserblueth-s-10th-anniversary-at-emanuel-synagogue

Masorti Australia will also be marking the milestone with a special filmed conversation with Rafi, looking back on his journey, his decade at Emanuel and his reflections on Masorti Judaism in Australia. More on that soon.

Mazal tov, Rafi!

27/08/2026

Your High Holy Days how to guide

21/08/2026

Rabbi Anthony Lazarus Magrill examines the essence of Teshuva with a question from the Mabit, Rabbi Moses ben Joseph di Trani (1500-1580), a prominent 16th-century rabbi in Safed. The question is what is the essential part of Teshuva, the thinking in your head or the out loud Vidui or confession. See more here https://ow.ly/Rs4i50ZArFh

This is the beginning of our ten-part series introducing Teshuva as a process of personal transformation according to Maimonides. The series is designed to encourage further study of this essential text that you can find here:
https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Repentance?tab=contents

14/08/2026